If – Then

Applications from 1 Kings

The Story: 1 Kings 9:1-9

In this passage we read of God appearing before Solomon. As you remember this is the 2nd time as God had appeared to him in Chapter 3 when he was first made King. As if in response to chapter 8, God says to Solomon that he has heard his prayer and that He will bless the new buildings for Israel. However, this is followed up with some “if-then” and “if not-then” statements given by God. Let’s look at them for our application.

The Application:

If – Then, 1 Kings 9:4-5

“If you walk before Me as David did.” David lived ever conscious of God’s presence. We are to be always conscious of God’s presence and live knowing that the Father’s watchful eye oversees all we do.

If you walk “in integrity of heart.” The heart was considered, as it is symbolically today, the center of the personality and the will of humankind. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” is one of Solomon’s proverbs. So sincerity of heart in our relationship with God is of great importance.

If you walk “in uprightness.” In all we do, we should be upright. An easy litmus test can be performed to see if you are. Can you consider yourself blameless? Do others? Faith without works is dead. “Orthodoxy and emotional experiences are important, but they lack fulfillment if they do not issue in holy and God-pleasing living.” (Source unknown)

If you “do according to all I have commanded you.” Obedience has always been the test of true faith. God himself said that obedience is greater than sacrifice. So God included in this condition, and in the next two, the necessity to obey all His laws.

If you keep My statutes. If you keep “My judgments”.Then, I will establish you forever. It is important to note that this was not an “if-then” condition that required perfection. Rather it simply required perfect intent. (Dilday & Ogilvie)